You may be a seasoned roaster or you may just be starting out, no doubt there was a time in your life you asked yourself what these small circular things on my coffee bags are. Many consumers believing these are an aromatic tool, allowing them to smell the coffee before buying. Let’s take a closer look at Degassing Valves and their important role in packaging roasted coffee.

From the moment coffee beans finish roasting, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as well as some other volatile gases start to release. Coffee beans are porous by nature, so oxidation (staling) starts as soon as the roast leaves the roaster. Staling coffee is spoilt coffee and delivering spoilt coffee to the consumer can have hugely negative impacts on your brand. Maintaining your coffees “freshness” is a priority. Ensuring it is delivered to the consumer at maximal freshness is key.

To counter the staling of freshly roasted coffee, packaging beans in an airtight container or bag protects them from the external environment. The sooner they are packaged, the better. CO2 gases and the aromas create quite a bit of pressure so when it comes to bagging roasted coffee this is where the Degassing Valve shines.

The Degassing Valve by form is an injection-moulded valve, which holds a small rubber diaphragm enclosed within. On the internal side is a small amount of sealant liquid which acts as a door. Once the surface tension is reached by the pressure differential, the sealant liquid comes away allowing the gas to escape out into the environment.

The CO2 pressure inside the bag works with the sealant liquid and surface tension to keep the external environment factors out, preventing staling. Simultaneously, it allows the building gases to vent out and stabilise the pressure within, ensuring the bag doesn’t pop.

Since Degassing Valves were introduced in the 60’s they have allowed coffee roasters to pack and seal in the freshness and aromas rapidly, as soon as the beans have cooled. Therefore increasing the shelf life and assurance of freshness to the consumer. Revolutionising the way coffee is packed.

The lightweight and affordable Degassing Valves can be fitted to a range of flexible packaging materials and even food grade tins and drums.

At Coffee Bags Direct we offer a range of packaging, including sustainable options that can be fitted with BPA-free, recyclable Degassing Valves.